QMI Agency

Yankee Stadium in New York will be the site of two outdoor games next season, the NHL announced Wednesday.

Both games, part of the league's Stadium Series, will involve the New York Rangers.

The Rangers will take on the New Jersey Devils Jan. 26 and the New York Islanders Jan. 29. It will be the first time hockey has been played at the new Yankee Stadium, which opened in 2009.

"The teams playing in these two games -- the Rangers, Islanders and Devils -- have tremendously loyal fans and the rivalries are intense because of their proximity and playoff history," NHLPA special assistant Mathieu Schneider said. "Yankee Stadium is a landmark venue in New York City, and to see hockey played in such a celebrated setting will be extremely memorable to the players and everyone involved."

The NHL has previously announced two other outdoor games. The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings will play Jan. 25 at Dodger Stadium while the Pittsburgh Penguins will play the Chicago Blackhawks at Soldier Field March 1.

STREIT TALK

New York Islanders captain Mark Streit, a potential unrestricted free agent this summer, isn't too interested in testing the open market.

Streit told Newsday that he wants to return to the Islanders and his agent, Pat Brisson, confirmed that contract talks would resume again. The two sides stopped negotiating at the trade deadline after Islanders general manager Garth Snow balked at a three-year, $16 million deal, according to Newsday.

"I've said it all along, I want to be back," Streit told Newsday. "I love it here, I love Long Island and the organization has been great to me."

Streit, who is in the final year of a five-year, $20.5 million deal, will have plenty of suitors if he goes to free agency. The 35-year-old defenceman had six goals and 21 assists in 48 games this season.

BRIEFLY

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Alex Emelin won't be ready to start next season, according to the Montreal Gazette. Emelin, who tore ligaments in his knee in early April, hasn't had surgery yet ... Calgary Flames forward Roman Cervenka has reportedly signed a three-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. He had nine goals and eight assists in 39 games with the Flames this season.